The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-05-22
THE BUSINESS OUTLOOK.
EMPLOYERS FORCED TO FORM
PROTECTIVE
Associations on Account OF the Greet
Number Of Strikes Precipitated
BY the Knights OF Labor.
IsPEoIAL TO rHR APrEAL.i

ESPECIAL TO TIE APPEAL.i
PHILADELPHIA, Pa, May N.~--It
is only within the last few weeks that
the attention Of employers has been
called to the great urgency Of oagan-
iEation among themselves for mutual
protection and defense against or
ganized labor. The increase in the
number Of strikes, and the apparent
determination of labor, both organized
and unorganiSed, to secure higher
compensation and to establish arb
trary rules, has convinced employers
and manufacturers generally that
something more than mere outward
organization will be necessary. Tbe
great strike in Chicago, the narrowly
escaped strike of 100 miners in the
anthracite region, the existing strike
among the coke workers in the Con-
nellsville region, the lockout of 1000
shoemakers in Worcester county,
Mass. the talked Of strike among
the Amalgamated Iron and Steel
Workers OF the United States, all
point to the fact that organized labor
does not mean to let slip single OPP
portunity for the furtherance of its
interest.
Labor has been advanced in many
branches since the 1st of May, and
employers are complaining that all
OF the improvement in prices has
been secured by labor. They see
that there is very little organized OPP
position, and that unless something
more effective is done demands will
be made which they cannot resist,
and they know that compliance in
wolves serious consequences to their
bushes.
The workingmen themselves de-
clare that it is not their object to
make unfair or extreme demands,
and that they are animated in their
present course by an honest and
earnest desire to secure only what is
their just due. In this they will not
be intimidated or discouraged by any
amount Of locking out, they say.
The advance in prices, the advance
in real estate, the increase in rents
in many cases, the tendency to
speculative movement, and many
other causes which threaten to in
crease the cost OF living justi6es
them, they say, in taking advantage
Of every opportunity to better their
present condition at least.
One of the most encouraging indi-
cations at this writing is the in
creased traffic and earnings of man,
OF the railway systems of the United
States. The railroads are doing re-
markably well; the manufacturing
interests in all sections have an album
dance of work, and there are no indi-
cations apparent at present of any
probable falling off in demand during
the summer or fall. The iron trade
is in a very healthy condition, al
though prices have dropped little |
in some branches; the busiest manu-
facturers are those making steel rails
and bridge iron; the production of
nearly 10000 tons of pig iron is not |
sufficient to cause any accumulation
Of stocks at blast furnaces. A great
deal of inquiry is coming in for ma
terial Tor the summer and fall, and |
the probabilities are that prices will
be firm throughout. Nails have
dropped to 81 80 up to 80 Is, accord
ing to looation of factory.
The volume of money is main
tanned at high and healthy limit,
The policy Of the Treasury Depart
ment the disbursements ofthe various
railroad, manufacturing and other
dividend paying interests, the will
iDgness of foreign capital to seek in
vestment in America, and the anx-
iety of private capital to engage in all
of reproductive enterprises,
are having a very marked influence.
The margin OF profits is not increas-
ing, yet the average returns on in
vestments, large and small, are sat-
isfactory.
The dry goods manufacturers, I'M
der which should be included the
manufacturers of all kinds of textile
fabrics, have not as yet found it
necessary to restrict production, or
to engage in a struggle for trade.
Competition keeps prices low, and
retailers and jobbers are not as anx.
ious to buy far ahead, as when capa-
city was not as able to cope with the
countries requirements.
The lumber trade is very active,
and prices are firm in Western,
Eastern and Southern markets.
Henry Clews d Co., bankers at
New York, have just issued a, circu-
lar which suggests to employers and
manufacturers generally, that the
emigration of British and European
labor, skilled and unskilled, should
be encouraged to the largest possible
dimensions in order to create a COM
petition among American laborers,
in order that the power of the
knights of Labor and trades unions
and considerations should be ourbed
and AS they hope, finally overthrown.
The circular is an ill advised one, as
it will only stimulate greater agita-
tion upon the part oforganiEed labor,
and even if the extraordinary immi-
grafton desired was maintained, the
result sought for, namely, the break
ing down OF labor, could not .be ef-
fected in that way.
The Socialistic Labor party OF New
York holds a convention on Satur-
day, The Bakers Union in that city
have6Ged the wages of extra hands
at Y. 90 per day. The silversmiths
are about to form national organi-
cation, New York has national
halt holiday law which goes into Ell.
feet next week.
A number Of new cooperative
stores are to be started in lew days.
The Cincinnati Knights are to hold
a grand picnic June Goth. In the
small towns throughout the West
the Knights are electing a good
many Of their friends to office.
Hundreds Of new industrial enter
prises, Of little aud big dimensions,
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